19-year-old due to testify in Tyrone Bracken case says ‘My mother’s life is in danger and so is mine.’

A 19-year-old Crown witness in a first-degree murder trial is in the precarious position of allegedly facing death threats from an accused killer and perjury charges if she doesn’t testify truthfully against him.

The teenager, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, is one of the three witnesses on a purported hit list that prosecutors say was written by S.B., one of four youths on trial for the Nov. 17, 2010 execution-style killing of 16-year-old Tyrone Bracken in a stairwell on Neptune Drive.

The Crown has introduced into evidence a handwritten letter which it says gives detailed instructions on how the teen and her friend should be shot in the head to prevent them from testifying at this trial.

The letter was discovered in the glove compartment of a car connected to the shooting of a 17-year-old in February. Police took the alleged threats very seriously — particularly because the sister of one of the accused was shot in the stomach the night she was supposed to testify at the preliminary hearing.

Toronto police arrested the teen on a material witness warrant Friday after she ignored a subpoena to come to Superior Court and testify. She was taken into custody and has been charged with disobeying a court order and attempting to obstruct justice.

After getting in the witness box and swearing to tell the truth on Monday, the young woman reluctantly answered questions put to her by Crown attorney Paul Zambonini.

“I wasn’t really feeling aware that you guys was, like, really looking for me. I didn’t think it would matter,” she said when asked why she had failed to come to court.

For most of the afternoon, the young woman responded to questions with “I don’t know,” and “I don’t remember,” even after Zambonini confronted her with her previous sworn police videotaped statement and testimony from two preliminary hearings where she identified S.B.’s nickname.

“The Crown’s position is she’s not being honest and her frequent memory lapses are designed to frustrate these proceedings,” an exasperated Zambonini told Justice Ian Nordheimer, who is hearing the case without a jury.

The prosecutor also asked her if she was told about any threats to her safety.

“My mother’s life is in danger and so is mine,” she said, without showing any emotion.

What would S.B. think about her testifying in court?, the Crown asked.

“I don’t know. You have to ask him,” she said.

Before she came into court on Monday, the teen met with defence lawyer Daniel Brown in the cells at the downtown courthouse.

“She is in a sad situation,” Brown said. “But for her co-operation with the police, when she could have said nothing, she finds herself where she is now.”

Brown said he was aware of people in court Monday who he believes were sent there to intimidate her.

Zambonini said he does not know if the teen will be the second person connected to the case to be charged with perjury. She is scheduled to have a bail hearing Thursday.